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Despite putting together a strong run this postseason after a rough finish to the regular season, Florida Gators softball was bounced out of the 2019 Women’s College World Series in embarrassing fashion, falling 15-3 in a run-ruled five-inning game by the Alabama Crimson Tide. Florida gave up six runs in the first inning and was never able to rebound as it was defeated by an Alabama team that swept it in the regular season.

Senior right-handed pitcher Kelly Barnhill did not even complete a frame before being pulled on Saturday night. Barnhill (2.0 IP, 3H, 6 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB, HBP, WP, 0 K) posted the worst line of her career in her final game in orange and blue, giving up a pair of three-run home runs in her outing. Combined with UF’s loss to Oklahoma State on Thursday, Barnhill allowed four home runs in her last two games.

The relief pitchers did no better behind her, and the Gators’ defense was riddled with miscues throughout the evening, including two errors. Barnhill did get a curtain call a few innings later after returning to throw a strike, and despite her rough effort, she will leave Florida as one of the program’s all-time best pitchers with a program-record 1,208 strikeouts.

Florida’s bats had been sleeping for most of the 2019 NCAA Tournament and were silent again Saturday, going 1/12 with runners on base through the first four innings. The Gators eventually rallied for three runs in the top of the fifth, but it was too little too late.

Saturday also marked the final game for senior first baseman Amanda Lorenz, who posted the best on-base percentage in program history over her career, doing so in 254 out of 265 games.

The 15 runs allowed to Alabama were the most by Florida softball since March 31, 1998 — more than 21 years ago. The game also stands as one of the worst losses by a Gators athletic team so late in the postseason.

Though Bama swept UF 3-0 in their regular-season series, the Gators toppled the Tide to win the 2019 SEC Tournament last month. It was just the third time in 15 postseason meetings — and just the first time in six WCWS meetings — that Alabama beat Florida.

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